Most people think that the road to comedy is easy, and anyone can pursue it – but once you get into it, you learn what it tastes like and how much there is to learn. Comedians often have their favorite comedian, the one that turned them on to comedy and made them “catch” the comedy bug. They may study or watch this comedian for hours and watch other styles outside of them, but that is a bad move.
Comedy was not created in a vacuum. Studying the comedians who came before you will help you understand joke structure, punchlines, setups, callbacks, styles, points of view, and performance skills all without having to make mistakes and setting back your stand up career.
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Learn From Success
While it is a great feeling to laugh, it also feels great to make people laugh and know that there is something in you that is called humor. Being a comedian is not an easy job. It is telling stories that you think will crack people up, and delivering them in a style that is sure to work. Comedy is like any other job or skill it takes practice and learning.
There are almost countless years of comedy albums, videos, and books that comedians can study. Comedy albums started in the 1950s in the US, and there are comedies in written form that go as far back as the Greeks. Will they help you get better at modern comedy? You won’t know unless you study them. Even one joke, idea, or punchline will be worth the time you spend studying.
What do you think a comedian does to get better at his comedy? Besides getting on stage and crafting jokes, they should be studying other comedians. It’s hard to call yourself a comedian if you don’t research comedy – because, to get the essence out, you must review it.
Why Study Comedy
No matter how big of a comedian you think you are, when you have to hit the stage, it is essential that you have studied all there is to be a comedian. If you want to be a comedian, then start by watching videos of other comedy entertainers and great comedians. The point isn’t to take others’ jokes, that’s joke theft, and it’s a big no-no. Studying comedy is so you can figure out the planning and conveyance required to work in this profession effectively. You can have the best material on the planet, but if you don’t have a clue on how to connect with your audience, manage hecklers, AND deliver solid punchlines, your sets and bits will probably miss the mark.
Imagine standing upon the stage, and you are unable to catch the attention of your audience. You deliver your opening joke and hear no laughter in return – how awful would that be? To study more about comedy, look at old sets of comedians. I like to listen to everything, but I find I learn a ton from Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock, regardless of whether their style isn’t yours or does not fit your tone, it will help you tremendously.
Telling jokes in front of many people requires a lot of confidence. If you’re a little shy or easily succumb to stage fright and don’t want to make yourself better, then being a comedian may not be the right thing for you. Studying comedy can be the boost that you need. Look up ways to eliminate and minimize your stage fright so that you can deliver what you love without leaving your dream of becoming a comedian behind.
Who hasn’t heard about the comedian who worked behind some greatest hits like Bridesmaid, Knocked up, and the 40-year-old virgin? This is comedian and comedy writer Judd Apatow. When you are up to studying comedy, the MasterClass taught by him is a great way to go. As he teaches comedy, he said, “there’s a lot to learn by watching people. But ultimately, you have to come up with your own angle, or why do it? And that’s really about knowing yourself and developing your sense of humor.”
Those who study others learn faster. Sure Malcolm Gladwell says it takes ten thousand hours, but if other people already put in the hours and you can learn from them, it should shave off some time for you. This doesn’t mean you can jack into the Matrix and become a comedian, but you can absorb information like a sponge and get better sooner.
Design A Better Style
Designing your style because it is the most critical part of being a comedian. Sure jokes are needed as is stage presence, but what if all comedians looked, acted, and sounded the same? So how do you think you can learn that? By studying different styles of delivering comedy. Determine which material is most suitable for you and optimize your process.
It is on you if you want to choose observational comedy, surrealism, or tell hilarious one-liners, every single one of these should come from your own point of view and comedy sensibilities. This is easier said than done. For comedy to come from within, you have to understand how to compel people to believe that you actually lived the situation,
Nobody is going to tell you what to write. When I say that you have to learn, it doesn’t mean you should steal from other comedy shows. Keep yourself original – but study and see what makes a comedian better at who they are. Try testing your skills and style at college shows and with your friends. Don’t be scared to try out what you have learned and test your jokes to see what works and what doesn’t.
Practice Makes Perfect
Like most things, saying something funny at the exact time requires a lot of practice. I think it works like a muscle, the more you do, the better you get at it. The best kind of study that comedians should get has to be the art of practicing and the never-ending process of learning, adapting, and implementing. On the other hand, I think this has to do with practice, dedication, and temperament.
Being a comedian requires a profound amount of self-promotion, but not just self-promotion. Get on your fears, learn to overcome them. Make your own style and watch shows of other classic comedians. It is crucial never to be too confident because too much confidence kills the urge to learn.
So, to all the comedians out there walking in the line of making the world a better place, it is a long road – but once you know what works for you and how to deliver it all, it is going to be a fun ride you never had in your life. Laugh and make others laugh because that’s the way to live.